Monday, March 9, 2015

It Happened in America: MLS Matchweek 1

Here's
your review of last weekend's MLS action:

LA Galaxy 2-0 Chicago Fire

Galaxy
had a plethora of chances in the first half that just lacked the
finishing touches. Despite being outplayed early, Chicago almost went
ahead early in the second half when Robbie Rogers maybe brought down
Quincy Amarikwa in the box, but referee Jair Marrufo let the men play
on. Galaxy finally broke through in the 65th
minute when Jose Villarreal found himself on the right side of some
sloppy Chicago defense to slot in an easy tally. Robbie Keane added
the second just after the 80 minute mark. In reality, the 2-0 final
could have been 4-0 or more.

DC United 1-0 Montreal impact

Not the most
exciting match ever. Much of it was spent watching the two teams feel
each other out until Jario Arrieta received a fortuitous bounce on a
long ball and slotted it past the oncoming Evan Bush. Neither attack
was really all that potent, as only seven shots made it on target
between the two teams.

Philladelphia Union 0-0 Colorado
Rapids

A 0-0
draw that probably should have gone Philly's way. They enjoyed more
than 60% of the possession and held Colorado to only two shots, both
off target. Then again, Union only had 4 or 16 on target, so maybe
things went the way they were supposed to.

Vancouver Whitecaps 1-3 Toronto FC

Probably the most
exciting match of the week. It was very free flowing nad featured
many almost chances to go along with the four goals. Vancouver was
beyond threatening early as Octavio Rivero flubbed a shot at a gaping
goal inside the six yard box. It could go down as the worst miss of
the season. Rivero would make up for his mistake by burying the first
of the game in the 19th minute when he got behind
Toronto's high back line and beat keeper Joe Bendik one on one.
Toronto was mostly lifeless for the first half hour. but that changed
when new designated player signing Sebastian Giovinco made a
beautiful through pass to fellow newcomer Jozy Altidore, who buried
the shot to level the score. Robbie Findley finished off a wonderful
toronto counterattack in the 59th to give them the lead
for good. Altidore nothced his second after Po Madou Kah brought him
down in the box. The American international converted the ensuing
penalty to finish the 3-1 scoreline.

Houston Dynamo 1-0 Columbus Crew

Columbus enjoyed
the majority of possession, more than doubled Houston's shots, and
controlled all but maybe ten minutes of the game, but Housont got one
strong counter attack in that saw Giles Barnes give Dynamo the 1-0
vicotry.

FC Dallas 1-0 San Jose Earthquakes

It
was a seesaw battle that Dallas managed to punch through and win two
minutes into stoppage time when Blas Perez headed home the winner at
the end of a scramble in front. San Jose keeper David Bingham punched
away a cross, but it went right to Moises Hernandez, who floated a
perfect pass to Perez for the easy header.

Portland Timbers 0-0 Real Salt Lake

A 0-0
draw that probably could have been 3-0 to the Timbers. Neither team
had too many chances in the first half, but Portland poured it on
after the hour mark. In the closing minutes of stoppage time, I have
no idea how they didn't score twice. Nick Rimando was the only reason
it stayed goalless as Portland was routinely able to swing crosses in
from the outside. At the end of each one, it was either Rimano making
a huge save, or Portland failing to find the target.

Orlando City 1-1 New York City

Orlando's
home opener in front of 62,000 at the Citrus Bowl may be a slight
disappointment, but I doubt too many will say either team deserved to
win. Orlando had the better chances early on, but NYC keeper Josh
Saunders was up to the task. Saunders was part of a scary moment
early when he was shoved in the air after collecting a cross. He
slammed his head into the post on his way down. He remained in the
match despite the wound on the side of his noggin. Miz Diskerud gave
NYC the lead with a pretty shot from the top of the box in the 76th
minute. Just before the 84 minute mark, Orlando City's Aurelien
Collin was shown straight red for a malicious challenge on David
Villa. That didn't stop ten man Orlando from equalizing when Kaka
took a free kick that deflected off the New York wall in into the
goal just before the final whistle.

Sporting Kansas City 1-1 New York
Red Bulls

Two
quick goals from each side early in the second half sealed the result
here. Ike Opara got things started for KC in five minutes into the
second frame, but the lead was squandered quickly as New York's Lloyd
Sam put one behind just four minutes later. Sporting's Matt Besler
was sent off for earning a second yellow in the 70th
minute and ten man Kansas City held on for the draw.

Seattle Sounders 3-0 New England
Revolution

No
Jermaine Jones for New England meant that they were never really in
the game. Seattle was the recipient of a dubious penalty call when
Clint Dempsey was doubtfully tripped Juan Agudeo. Dempsey scored the
easy penalty kick and the rout was on. Obafemi Martins made it 2-0
after 40 minutes and Dempsey added a second midway through the second
half.